Monthly Archives

April 2017

In Jewelry and Accessories Styling, Outfits on
April 19, 2017

One Shirtdress – Two Fall Looks

 

|| Plaid Shirt Dress: Emerald Cuff Kensington Collection | Boots: Sam Edelman Penny Boot | Similar Jacket: Zara Biker Jacket | Similar Booties: H&M Ankle Boots | Silver Ring: Stella&Dot Rebel Ring | Silver Earrings: Emerald Cuff Kensington Collection ||

It is Wednesday morning and my alarm rings. As I am sluggishly making my way out of bed, reality sets in. Get my son out of bed, prepare breakfast, get him dressed, remind my husband where his car keys are, remember to bring this week’s “show and tell”, brush my son’s teeth…did I even brush mine this morning? Shoot, it’s already past 8?!?! And out the door we tumble.

I’m sure many of you can relate to the daily morning chaos, being a mom or not. Having 527 thoughts race through your mind at once doesn’t leave much room for dressing myself as fashionable as I would like, and I end up sporting the usual mom uniform, yoga pants and an over-sized sweater. This is where Emerald Cuff saves the day. Being busy Seattle moms themselves, the ladies behind Emerald Cuff understand the struggle. Therefore, they created an online boutique with one single mission – to make it simple for incredibly busy moms and women to look and feel their best.

Instead of walking up and down crowded malls, or browsing endless online shops, Emerald Cuff does the leg work for us. The founders, Erin D., Maria, and Erin O. hand-pick fashion collections that are released monthly in limited numbers and always have the modern on-the-go woman in mind. Each collection includes an outfit item paired with an exclusive handcrafted jewelry item and a bonus style piece as a gift. All we have to do is pick a collection and it will be delivered to our front door. Can’t get much easier than that!

Part of the Kensington Collection is this beautiful plaid shirt dress, which I paired with my favorite pair of boots and some knee-high socks for warmth. I felt comfortable and stylish at the same time, and plan on wearing this exact outfit to many occasions, from shopping trips to parent-teacher conferences. Also, let’s take a minute to acknowledge how “Seattle” this outfit is…I can’t think of any more appropriate outfit to sip your coffee in!

In order to take this dress up a notch for date night or cocktails with your gals, I added a faux leather jacket and black booties. I think it looks cute and a little bit of sexy, which is a great mix, if you ask me. This shirt dress is so incredibly versatile that I see myself wearing it on repeat this season, paired with a sweater, or even my fave staple, black leggings.

The jewelry item included in the Kensington Collection was this gorgeous pair of sterling silver earrings, and I am so smitten with them! Their beauty is obvious, but they are also feather light that I don’t even notice them throughout the day. My favorite part, however, is that they were handcrafted with labradorites by Sara Preston, a jewelry designer working exclusively with Emerald Cuff. Every item in the jewelry collections is meticulously crafted with artisan materials such as real stone and gems, from her Boulder Co workshop.

plaid dress 2 looks

I have to mention the high quality of the clothes and jewelry I noticed, and am looking forward to wearing these pieces for a long time.

If you are a busy, stylish woman and love supporting women entrepreneurs as much as I do, give Emerald Cuff a try with this 15% discount exclusively for my readers: BLISS  The discount is valid on everything site-wide through November 23rd!

Keep calm and shop on, ladies!

xoxo,

Olga

Photo credit goes to Victoria West Photography – Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Outfit was sponsored, but opinions are 100% my own. Thank you!

 

By
/
1 Comment
In Fashion Events on
April 19, 2017

Pacific Place Style Up Event

Is the October rain bringing you down? Are you in need of some retail therapy?!  I know I am.

What better place to get your style fix than at Pacific Place?!  Located in the heart of downtown, Pacific Place is Seattle’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination. There are countless stores, restaurants, and even a movie theater inside this very popular shopping center. I know I can spend all day there without even stepping a foot outside, which is perfect when it is pouring cats and dogs.

All next week, Pacific Place is hosting an exclusive style event, and I am so happy to share it with you!

While Monday is all about fall fashion, on Tuesday, October 13th, the focus will be on accessories and beauty.  I could not be more excited to be included in this wonderful event!

The jewelry retailer “Something Silver” is graciously inviting me into their shop (level 3) to style their fabulous gems and jewels. Being jewelry obsessed myself, I cannot wait to get my hands on their new styles and share them with all of you.

A major reason why I adore “Something Silver” is because they carry unique designs that you can’t find anywhere else.  I always find it difficult to find reasonably priced jewelry that is high quality, but not boring. That is exactly why “Something Silver” is such a great choice with its exclusive creations from local and international designers.

To make a great thing even better, Pacific Place is giving away swag bags and prizes! So grab a few friends and make sure to RSVP to Tuesday’s event!

Make sure to follow me on social media to find out what jewelry I will choose and I can’t wait to see all of you at  “Something Silver” on Tuesday!!!

XOXO,

Olga

 

By
/
Leave a comment
In Jewelry and Accessories Styling, Outfits on
April 19, 2017

How to Glam up a Basic Outfit

|| Gap Grey V-neck tee | Banana Republic Perforated faux leather pencil skirt (similar) | Sam Edelman white mules | Old Navy tortoise sunglasses | Stella & Dot Zora crystal necklace | Chantilly lace cuff | Cleopatra stud earrings ||

Today I am posting a look that can go from running errands to lunch and even to dinner dates – it is just that versatile! Perfect for long days on the go and lots to accomplish. I love how it is not overly fussy, but still looks put together.

To add some visual interest to this classic look, I spruced up the basic grey t-shirt and the sleek faux leather skirt with some major bling.  This is hands down my favorite necklace because of its versatility. Wearing it during the day with a simple shirt or blouse gives you that little extra, and in the evening it can really glam up your outfit.

I can’t forget to mention my new shoes! I am obsessed with the sleekness of these white mules and the texture of the calf-hair leather. Another reason why I love them so much might be the fact that you can hide your old pedi for a few more days and still look chic 😉

Happy July 4th everyone! Be safe and happy!!!

 

By
/
Leave a comment
In Jewelry and Accessories Styling, Outfits on
April 19, 2017

Tropical Top

|| Express Tropical ladder back top | Express Distressed black jeggings |

Tahari black booties (similar) | Michael Kors Ava small saffiano leather satchel |

Stella & Dot Emerald Eye Candy Necklace | Gold Pavé Chevron Necklace | Bracelets in order: Rainbow Visionary bracelet | Orange leather Enlighten bracelet | Alice bracelet | Amelie sparkle bracelet ||

The Pacific Northwest has been blessed with the most gorgeous weather here lately. I hear we even beat California in higher temperatures.

We Washingtonians know these sunny days are counted, so all of us are flocking to parks, beaches and outdoors to soak up as much Vitamin D as possible. That makes for very crowded strolls in the park and busy parking lots.

Thankfully, the sunshine turns almost everybody’s frown upside down.  And if that doesn’t work, a cute, colorful top will for sure 🙂

I am absolutely obsessed with this tropical top and am wearing it every chance I get, to my birthday dinner, shopping at the mall etc.

My new black jeggings are exactly what I was looking for. They are high-waisted and hug you in all the right places. You know what I mean 😉

Enjoy the great day, loves, may it be sunny or not!

 

By
/
Leave a comment
In Outfits on
April 19, 2017

Pleated Midi Skirt and Thoughts on Women Supporting each other

||Top:  Express Stretch Cotton Cropped Tank | Skirt:  Banana Republic Floral Pleated Midi Skirt | Shoes:  Sam Edelman Odelia Mules | Jewelry:  Stella & Dot Element Necklace |  Blue Lapis Lazuli Pauline Ring (sold out) | Alice Tennis Bracelet  ||

I have been looking high and low for the perfect pleated midi skirt, and I finally found it!  The skirt’s waist is high enough, so I can wear a crop top without flashing too much skin, just a sliver. Since I wanted the skirt to be the showstopper, I chose a simple black top and some delicate jewelry to compliment it. Wearing this outfit I felt dressy without being fussy or overdone. The perfect mix between modern and romantic, if you ask me 🙂

I had the privilege of working with the talented young photographer Victoria Westrick for this photo shoot. It was so much fun and I felt incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to work with her. It also made me realize how important collaborations are, especially between women.

Let me recall a far too familiar scenario: We start a new project, business endeavor, what have you, and we are excitedly sharing our big plans with our girlfriends, just to find out that they are not as supportive as we anticipated.  We are left wondering “why?” and start double guessing our plans, our friendship, and even ourselves.

More often than not, women for one reason or another do not support other women’s goals and efforts. May it be in the work environment or on a private level between friends, I have personally encountered push back and, in some isolated instances, even sabotage from other women.

However, whatever their reasoning may be, much more important is the fact that we all need support. We all need reaffirmation every now and then. Even the most confident person can’t do it on her own. We need our girlfriends, our sisterhood, our squad, our tribe.

As different as we may seem, we all feel joy, pain, and love the same way. Why not use our similar experiences to relate to each other and connect?!  Let’s build acceptance, support, and love for each other because … God knows, we could use more of that.

How, you might ask? It can be as easy as sharing your girlfriend’s latest post on your page or liking and following her business page or blog. It takes about 30 seconds, but means the world to your friend. Trust me.

You might say your friend’s handmade cat costumes are just not your thing? Fair enough. However, I bet one of your 375 Facebook friends was searching desperately for exactly that dinosaur costume for Mr. Mittens. Just saying.

Thankfully, I have been lucky enough to have encountered some women who are the epitome of supportive friends and coworkers.  This post is a tribute to them and to all women not afraid to stand behind other women’s dreams. They are wise enough to understand that your girlfriend’s success is not your failure.  On the contrary, it is a testimony that we can achieve our goals with hard work, focus, and a little support.

Let’s celebrate the women that are always there for us, supporting us in every endeavor, big or small!  I raise my glass to strong, supportive women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.

In this spirit, I would like to introduce a new movement – Sisterhood of Bliss – a place where women support other women’s goals and dreams without judgment and where we celebrate each other’s success. Let me know what you think or of any ideas or comments you have! And if you used the hashtag #sisterhoodofbliss for your posts, I wouldn’t even be mad 😉

A big thank you to Victoria Westrick Photography ! Stay tuned for more collaborations…

When women support each other, incredible things happen.

 

By
/
Leave a comment
In Kids and Family Fun on
April 18, 2017

10 Tips for Hiking with Kids

Hiking with kids

1. Start a tradition!

Pick a good hiking day for your family’s schedule and try your best to stick to it. Soon, prepping for a hike will be as natural as getting ready for school.

Another great way of starting a hiking tradition is to give kids a patch or button after every accomplished hike that they can collect and display with pride. Stickers or print-outs of awards will do, too!  With time, you not only have an impressive collection of hiked trails, but also priceless memories of family time well spent.

2. This one is a no-brainer – lots and lots of encouragement and praise!

Try to make the first hike a positive experience for the kids which they would love to repeat. Even if the accomplishments are little and your first few hikes might not be more than a stroll on the neighborhood trails, celebrate them as if they just climbed Mt. Rainier! Positive reinforcement is what will make the little ones come back for more and eventually finish “real” hikes.

3. Entice … okay, bribe them!

Offer them a treat or an award if they make it all the way to the peak or your selected destination. The only condition is that the kids have to earn their treat by finishing the hike all by themselves. No cheating by catching a ride on dad’s shoulders allowed.

When my son gets tired, I remind him of the yummy candy he is so close to enjoying, and all of a sudden a burst of energy helps him back to the parking lot. Works every time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Never, and I mean never, cave in and pick them up!

Instead, take a break and tell them how great they have been doing and how proud you are of your little hiker. Sticking to your guns the first few times will simplify your hiking experience in the future. Soon they won’t even ask any more because they know that being carried is a no-go for a “true” hiker.

5. Provide them with fun gear!  

Carrying their own backpack and wearing cool hiking boots does wonders for kids’ confidence.  We, adults, know how new, shiny gear can spark excitement about hitting the trail.  It’s no surprise the same goes for our mini me’s.

6. Invite other kids (and their parents) along!

Not only is hiking more fun with friends, but it also makes the kids want to show off their new hiking skills.

Also, they are less likely to whine and fuss in fear of embarrassing themselves in front of their friends. Killing 2 birds with one stone is what I call that.

7. Distract them with fun!

Make up songs, play games on the trail, tell jokes, or anything else you can come up with to distract them from the actual “work” of hiking.

For instance, we came up with a silly marching song that we hum every time it gets a little too monotone on the trail. Anything will do to avoid nagging and whining. I’m sure you hear me on that one.

8. Stop and wonder!

Take in all the beauty around you that Mother Nature has to offer. And most importantly, see them through your kids’ eyes! It is too easy to pass by the little flowers on the side of the trail in anticipation of the big waterfall ahead of you. I get it…but it’s just as amazing to pause and enjoy the little beauties.

Kids have an advantage on us when it comes to the little things, so we might actually learn a thing or two from them about enjoying the moment. There are plenty of new things to discover on the trail as long as you pay attention. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Pack a nutritious lunch and call it a picnic!

Hiking can be an exhausting endeavor for little feet. Make sure to bring a lunch and snacks that provide lots of energy, such as a healthy sandwich and fresh fruit. And lots and lots of water!

Find a nice sunny spot, preferably with a view, and get comfortable. And don’t forget to “leave no trace” behind and take your trash back with you. Even little hikers live by the motto “Pack it in, pack it out”.

10. And finally, take LOTS of breaks.     

We have a fun way of making sure everybody stays hydrated and energetic. Every time we see water, may it be a stream or a big puddle, we drink a sip of water. For the kids it is fun to spot the water and yell “water break”, and adults are just happy that everybody is hydrated.

Any time you notice your little one slowing down to a mere snail’s pace, I suggest to take a short break. Regenerate and energize with a quick snack and chances are the hike will be more enjoyable afterwards. After all, it’s about the journey, not the destination…

By
/
Leave a comment